Saunders coached the Pistons from 2006 to 2008. Recently, he was serving as the head coach and President of Basketball Operations for the Timberwolves. During the offseason, they announced that he wouldn't return for this season to coach the team in order to undergo treatment for cancer.

The Detroit Free Press sports division took to Twitter with the news with just two words: cancer sucks.

Saunders was diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma earlier this year, and at the time said the doctors said it was “treatable and curable.”

It is with tremendous sorrow that the Detroit Pistons organization acknowledges the passing of Flip Saunders. He will be remembered by Pistons fans as one of the franchise’s most successful head coaches - leading the club to three consecutive Eastern Conference Finals appearances and a franchise-record 64 wins in 2005-06. Flip was a great ambassador for the Metro Detroit community and had a positive influence on those who had the opportunity to spend time with him. We send our heartfelt condolences to his wife, Debbie, his children Ryan, Mindy, Rachel, Kimberly and all his friends throughout the extended Detroit Pistons and NBA family.